Spanish cruiser Conde del Venadito facts for kids
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|} The Conde de Venadito was a type of warship called an unprotected cruiser in the Spanish Navy. It was built in Cartagena, Spain, starting in 1883. The ship was finished and launched five years later.
In 1895, the Conde de Venadito tried to stop an American merchant ship named Allianca. This happened near Cape Maisi in Cuba. The Spanish ship thought Allianca was secretly bringing weapons to rebels in Cuba. The Conde de Venadito was removed from the navy's list in 1907. It was later sunk in 1936, used as a target for practice.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
.svg){kind=small} Spain |
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| Name | Conde de Venadito |
| Namesake | Count of Venadito |
| Builder | Naval shipyard Cartagena |
| Laid down | 1883 |
| Launched | 15 August 1888 |
| Completed | 1888 or 1889 |
| Stricken | 1907 |
| Fate | Sunk as target 1936 |
| General characteristics (as built) | |
| Class and type | Velasco-class unprotected cruiser |
| Displacement | 1,190 long tons (1,210 t) |
| Length | 210 ft (64 m) |
| Beam | 32 ft (9.8 m) |
| Draft | 13 ft 8 in (4.17 m) maximum |
| Installed power | 1,500 hp (1,100 kW); 4 cylindrical boilers |
| Propulsion | 1 shaft; 1 Compound-expansion steam engine |
| Sail plan | barque-rigged |
| Speed | 14 knots (26 km/h) |
| Complement | 173 officers and enlisted men |
| Armament |
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| Notes | Powered by 200–220 tonnes (220–240 short tons) of coal (normal) |
Building and Ship Design
The Conde de Venadito was built at the naval shipyard in Cartagena, Spain. Its main frame, called the keel, was put in place in 1883. The ship was launched into the water on August 15, 1888. It was fully finished and ready to use in either 1888 or 1889.
This ship weighed about 1,190 long tons when it was in the water. It was 210 feet (64 meters) long. The ship was 32 feet (9.8 meters) wide. It also had a draft of 13 feet 8 inches (4.17 meters). This is how deep the ship went into the water.
The Conde de Venadito was powered by one main engine. This engine used four large cylindrical boilers, which burned about 200 to 220 tons of coal. This power allowed the ship to reach a speed of 14 knots (26 km/h).
The ship had several weapons. It carried four 4.7-inch (120 mm) guns. It also had four 6-pounder (57 mm) guns. There was one machine gun and two 14-inch (356 mm) torpedo tubes. A crew of 173 officers and sailors operated the ship. The Conde de Venadito had a tall funnel for smoke. It was made with an iron hull and had sails like a barque.
Ship's History and Events
The Conde de Venadito took part in a big celebration in 1892. This event marked 400 years since Christopher Columbus first arrived in the Americas. The Royal family of the United Kingdom used the ship for a large party. After the celebration, the ship with the Royal family sailed past other ships. They waved goodbye as other nations' ships left the harbor.
In 1894, the ship was part of a special training group for the Spanish navy. This group was located near the coast of Cuba. The Spanish Minister of Marine had announced this training earlier that year.
The Allianca Incident
In March 1895, the Conde de Venadito was involved in an event with an American merchant ship. The American ship was called Allianca. This happened near Cape Maisí in Cuba. The Spanish ship tried to stop Allianca to search it. They thought Allianca was involved in filibustering. This means they suspected it was secretly bringing weapons to rebels in Cuba.
The American ship did not stop. So, the Spanish ship fired several solid shots at it. The Conde de Venadito chased Allianca for about 20 miles (32 km), but could not stop it. This event caused a lot of exciting news stories in American newspapers. Many people believe this incident made Americans feel more against Spain. This happened in the years before the Spanish–American War.
Spanish–American War Actions
During the Spanish–American War, the Conde de Venadito was first seen at the port of Santiago de Cuba. This was on April 20. Its first real action in the war was helping to defend Havana.
On May 14, at 4:20 PM, the ship sailed out of the harbor. It was with another ship called Nueva España. The Conde de Venadito moved around to react to U.S. gunboats. It fired two shots from about 17 km (11 mi) away from the U.S. ships. The U.S. ships then moved back to about 20 km (12 mi) away. As evening came, the Conde de Venadito and Nueva España went back with two other ships, Aguila and Flecha. That night, the U.S. ships took control of the harbor. It is not known if the shots fired by the Spanish ships had any effect, because they were fired from so far away.
On June 10, at 8:30 AM, the Conde de Venadito appeared about 1 km (0.62 mi) offshore. It was with Nueva España, Flecha, and Yanéz Pinzon. Soon, they fired at Battery No. 1 from about 3.8 km (2.4 mi) away. The U.S. ships started firing back at the four Spanish ships from 10 km (6.2 mi) away. The U.S. shots were accurate at first. But then the four Spanish boats moved back to 15 km (9.3 mi) away from the U.S. ships. At 1:30 PM, the U.S. ships entered the harbor.
End of Service
The Conde de Venadito was officially removed from the navy's list in 1907. Its hull was later sunk in 1936. It was used as a target ship for practice.
See also
In Spanish: Conde de Venadito (1883) para niños
